Summary: As the descendant of the formidable Rocks D. Xebec, Naruto has lived his life concealed from the rest of the world. However, destiny had other plans, and he was destined to step into the spotlight, driven by a strong desire to reshape the world according to his own vision.
Authors note: This story takes three years before canon events, and five years before timeskip.
[Chapter 0: A Mother's Wish (Prologue)]
My father was a detestable man. Be that as it may, he was a man of his words. Whenever he wishes for something, he will do anything in his power to grab it. He was ambitious and dominant. No matter where he goes, violence seems to ensue.
Despite this, when he is with his daughter, he may come off as gentle and warm. He was a family man, first and foremost. However, that all changed when my mother was captured by the World Government before she became a slave for the Celestial Dragons. My father, if I could remember right, gathered about a hundred pirates under his banner to charge at the Holy Land of Mariejois in search of her, with rage fully shown in his face.
But it was too late. The moment he found her, she was chained by the neck while naked and beaten severely. That must be the cause of her death. She was so scrawny that I could almost see her ribs. Furthermore, that was the first time I saw my father change for the worse.
I was only a young girl when I first witnessed a massacre. Decapitated heads, gouged out flesh, and other revolting things that I wish to forget. And right there, the man standing atop a pile of bodies was him. A man whose blood is running through my veins.
After the Mariejois incident, he abandoned me on an island in the New World. The last time I heard his voice, he uttered 'Peace for the World.' It sent shivers down my spine.
And many years later, as I read the newspaper, I saw his face once again. But it wasn't my father anymore. It was the devil himself. In his bounty poster, he had a maniacal grin plastered on his face, while his locks stuck out evenly from his head. He was the most wanted man in the world, and under his banner at the time were the future Yonkos.
Maybe the death of my mother changed him permanently. He didn't care about anything anymore. His wife was dead, and he abandoned his daughter, so he had nothing to lose.
Eventually, he was surrounded by the Navy during his endeavor on an island called God Valley. The newspaper was purposely vague, and no one, including myself, knew of the truth.
Years after his death, I moved on in life. I tried to forget about the man I called father, but to no avail. But it didn't stop me from finding love. I married a wonderful man whose hair was brighter than the sun! Then I gave birth to an also wonderful boy!
But it seems my happiness was limited.
My husband, who was just a commoner and sailor, was captured by the World Government and sold off as a slave. He was supposedly used as a scapegoat during one of his journeys, when a group of pirates took over his ship and used it to wreak havoc in a nearby village. Due to him being the owner of the ship, the Navy did not bother to find the truth and just simply abandoned their so-called 'justice'.
I never saw him again, and it was now only my son that was left.
I detest this world. I hate it with every inch of fiber in my body. I wish nothing more than to change it.
But I'm powerless. A damn sickness took a toll on my body, leaving me handicapped and bedridden. My son, who is now fifteen-years-old, took care of me. His face reminded me of my husband. But everytime I see his face, my heart aches. I couldn't imagine abandoning him in this detestable world. But my time was running out. I was dying.
Although I hated my father because of his actions, abandoning me, and exposing me to violence at a young age, maybe I couldn't fully blame him. Maybe he only wanted the best for his family. He would sacrifice the world for his loved ones, and he was seen as a villain. Maybe he wanted to create a utopia where evil was vanquished, and the only way to do so was to become evil itself.
What the world needs is evil to destroy evil.
Will is inherited. Me, and other future descendants, are connected to one man. With that, no matter how many years it will take, we will achieve what my father wanted.
What Rocks D. Xebec wanted.
Only one man shall stand atop the world and rule its content.
It is the ideal world.
[Chapter 1: A meeting between rivals]
The Island of Sixis is a huge paradox. Located in the East Blue, it is one of the most beautiful islands there is. Luscious trees, white sand, and emerald green shallows. A paradise through description. However, despite the pretty facade, its true form is that of evil. Many sailors, who have been struck by the deadly currents of the sea, wind up on this island and never to be seen again. It was as though there was an evil entity that occupied the archipelago and feasted on both pirates and regular sailors alike.
Naruto honed his ears as he listened to the crashing waves as he laid near a tree. It has been six days since he arrived on this island, and he has yet to spot a single life. No animals or humans. If it wasn't for the deadly currents, this place could have surely been a resort. He almost grinned at the thought that despite his peaceful situation, there was a chance where he could die of starvation. Even plants were lacking. Quite odd.
He sat up groggily and rubbed his throbbing head. He was a complete mess. Prior to his arrival on this island, a certain man attempted to take his head, and thanks to a whirlpool that occurred during their battle, he was able to escape and ended up here. Despite that, he was not grateful in the least that, although he was alive, he had to float towards the Sixis. Out of all the islands, it chose this place.
Why not build a boat and sail away?
Naruto has attempted that about numerous times already. Even though he was not proficient in ship building, he has a fair amount of knowledge. The only problem was the lack of resources.
As he strolled by the coastline, the scorching heat of the sand made him wince since he was walking barefoot. His mind was preoccupied solely with thoughts of food as he proceeded along a straight path for several minutes. Suddenly, he became aware of a person creating a disturbance in the nearby forest. Intrigued, he hurried towards the commotion and witnessed a man attempting to construct a boat. While the boat seemed more like a makeshift coffin than a reliable means of transportation, the man's efforts were evident.
"I didn't think I would see anyone here," Naruto commented, cursing inwardly as his lips cracked and bled from the dryness.
"Oh!" The man turned around in alert before smiling at Naruto. "I thought the same thing. But man, what happened to you?"
He commented on the rugged appearance of the blonde as he was shirtless and bruised in his torso.
"Eh, you know. Got into a fight pretty much."
"I see. Well, my name is Ace. How do you do?" Ace cordially bowed which took Naruto aback by the politeness, but nonetheless reciprocated.
"I'm Naruto. I'm doing well," he replied. "How long have you been here?"
Ace and Naruto looked to be the same age, and their heights were nearly indistinguishable. Ace had a lean and muscular physique, indicating that he had experienced many adventures or underwent intense training. His face was slightly tanned and adorned with freckles, and a crimson ornament was hanging from his neck.
"About six days. Tomorrow will be one week." He counted out and was surprised.
"I guess you and I washed up on this island together. What crazy coincidence." Naruto grinned as Ace did the same. "And Ace, your boat is not going to make it out of here in that current condition." He remarked as he almost frown while staring at the coffin. "There are holes all over the burden boards, and there are no ribs attached to the keel. Plus, it's not long enough."
Ace immediately had a realization as he stamped his palm with his fist. "Man, you're amazing. To know all of that with a single glance. How about you help me make one? Let's work together and get out of here."
It seems Ace had no idea whatsoever with the basics, and Naruto just simply grinned while nodding his head. "Where do you find wood?"
[+]
It has been three days since the duo began building their boat to escape this hell of an island. It was only then that Naruto discovered a cave with a stranded pirate ship stabbed in a rocky hill. It was old — too old — as the ship seemed to have been in the same place for at least decades, or even a century. It was outdated and the woods were beginning to crack with a simple punch. It was tedious to search for a decent wooden plank to use for their rowboat, but they had no choice.
"Hey, Naruto! Check this out!" Ace called out as Naruto walked towards him where he saw a treasure chest all covered in dust. "You think it's gold?"
"Even if it is, it's useless." The blonde shrugged. "Open it."
With a slow and creaking motion, Ace lifted the lid, and as he did, his eyes widened in confusion upon seeing the fruit inside. "It's a fruit, but it looks rotten," he remarked, disappointedly, while his stomach growled with hunger. Just then, he noticed Naruto's eyes widening, prompting him to ask, "What happened?"
"It's not rotten." He noted. Out of all places, he never thought he would spot one. Considering how vast the world is, seeing one was more rare than gold. "That is a devil fruit, Ace."
"A devil fruit?!" Ace yelped. "I thought they were fake! This is the fruit they were talking about where it can give anyone powers?!"
Naruto nodded in agreement and retrieved the fruit from the box. He carefully observed its appearance, noting its round orange shape with flame-like components adorned with swirl patterns, along with a swirled stem at the top. "If I could remember correctly…this is the Mera-Mera No Mi. It is a Logia type, and once it's consumed, it allows the consumer to manipulate fire." He recalled the time where he read the different variations of Devil Fruit. "Although, there is a high chance that it could be fake."
"Then what better way than to try it, right?" Ace questioned as Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Eat it."
"What?" Naruto stood in surprise at the suggestion. "No, I can't. I'll die."
"So, it's poisonous then?" Ace looked regretful. "Sorry for the suggestion. I could've killed you." He chuckled sheepishly.
"No, it's not that…" Naruto said with a low tone — almost a whisper — as his expression became dark. "If one were to consume another devil fruit after their previous one, the result is death." He repeated a passage, when Ace came to a realization.
"You ate one already?!" He shouted in excitement as the blonde nodded his head . "What power did you get?!"
"I don't want to talk about it," Naruto said before he handed the fruit to Ace.
"Okay," Ace concurred, opting not to delve deeper into the matter. After all, he had his own secrets he preferred to keep to himself. "I suppose I'll give it a try." He gazed at the fruit, feeling nervous, and gulped before taking a large bite, which left him disgusted. Quickly swallowing, he expected some sort of reaction, but nothing happened. As he looked at his unchanged hands, he realized, "It's a fake, then." Glancing at Naruto, he noticed the blonde's face brightening as he shielded his eyes. Perplexed, Ace inquired, "What's going on with you?"
"It actually worked!" Naruto exclaimed with a grin, observing as the flames transformed into the shape of Ace's hair, leaving the freckled man feeling anxious as he attempted to extinguish them nervously.
[+]
After three days of hard work, the duo had completed their rowboat and gazed at it with pride. The boat appeared sturdy, and they eagerly anticipated their escape from the island. They were determined not to meet their end in this wretched place. However, they had to postpone their adventure until the next morning, as the moon already hung high in the sky. They decided to set up a bonfire using the remaining wood and Ace's newfound powers, which he had practiced extensively to familiarize himself with his abilities.
They sat in front of each other and gazed at the crackling sound made by the heat. They spent their nights freezing and it was the first time since they had warmed up.
"Why did you set out to sea, Ace?" Naruto asked as it became too quiet. Although, he already had some predictions of Ace's answer.
Gazing at the stars above, Ace's face lit up with a smile. "To become a pirate," he declared, and Naruto nodded in agreement, understanding his aspirations. "My brothers and I made a promise to carve a reputation for ourselves," Ace continued, pausing briefly to contemplate, which piqued Naruto's interest. "Since I'm the oldest," he added with a hint of pride, "I got a head start. Heh."
"How many brothers do you have?" Naruto asked, filled with wonder, as he observed the sparkling enthusiasm in Ace's eyes when he talked about them. Naruto couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, knowing that he had never experienced having someone to call "brother." Throughout his life, it had always been just him and his mother, and now he felt a void that he yearned to fill.
"I have two. Although, one of them died…" he answered before becoming silent. Naruto did not miss the clenched fist on Ace. "My younger brother, though — I'm worried about him. He is stupid, and sometimes reckless, but I know he'll be a great pirate when the time comes." He chuckled. "How about you?"
"Well, the same reason, except the part about brothers," the blonde sheepishly grinned. "But I made a promise to my mother. I told her that I will grant her wish."
"Ah, I see. My mother died when I was born." Ace muttered, but the blonde did not miss it. "I guess we each have what the other don't, huh?" They both laughed, before calming down. "Do you have a father?"
Naruto became solemn at the question. Revealing personal information with Ace was more than fine. He could see the freckled man as a trustworthy friend. I can tell.
"I did, but just like you, he died when I was born. My mother just tells me stories about him, and he seemed to be a great man making an honest living."
"That sounds like a good thing," Ace remarked , as Naruto raised an eyebrow at Ace's earnestness. "As for me, I've always felt the opposite. I hated my father. Every time I'm reminded that his blood runs through my veins, I can't help but feel a strong sense of resentment."
Naruto contemplated, attempting to piece together the situation, and he suspected that Ace's father must have been a criminal who abandoned his son. The realization saddened him, and it seemed that Ace had taken the burden of his father's actions upon himself, feeling responsible for them.
"A father's crime is not their son's crime, Ace. You don't have to beat yourself up with the thought. You are your own person." Naruto tried to encourage his friend.
I bet he will have the same reaction as the others if he finds out.
"I mean, if he was a pirate, I get it that you would feel sorry for the innocent lives he terrorized but it wasn't your fault. You were born to set your own journey and your own wishes." Naruto continued. "Even if your father is the Pirate King, his existence does not determine yours."
Ace was taken aback by the blonde's remark, especially the last sentence. It was the first time anyone had expressed such sentiments to him. Since his youth, he had always questioned whether he deserved to live or not.
"Even the Pirate King?" Ace repeated, which the blonde nodded.
"But it's unlikely that Gold Roger had a kid. The damn Navy basically erased anyone who is related to him, which is unfair." He then chuckled at the downhearted Ace. "Come on. Lighten up. You're acting as if he is your father. Hahaha…" His friend's mood did not rise whatsoever. "You're kidding, right?"
Ace stayed quiet and shook his head. He couldn't bring himself to look his blonde friend in the eyes. He could only feel the gaze towards him.
"Gold Roger... The Pirate King?" Naruto whispered, barely able to believe the revelation, and he noticed the sorrowful expression in Ace's eyes. "Damn," he muttered, unable to contain his amazement. What an eventful week it had been for him. First, he was stranded on an island, and now, by pure coincidence, he had encountered the son of the Pirate King. Moreover, Naruto could sense the genuine honesty in Ace's words; there was no trace of deceit.
An awkward silence loomed between the two as the sound of the waves and crackling fire was only present.
"Well…My statement remains the same," the blonde continued, surprising Ace. "Despite you being the offspring of the most hated man in the world, and also the one responsible for this world's current predicament…you deserve to live as much as anyone else. That's what I think, at least. You probably have a different idea."
[+]
The noisy calls of seagulls, the sound of waves crashing, and the gentle breeze brushing against their faces welcomed the day. This was the moment they had been waiting for – the day they could escape from the treacherous island. Even though they hadn't eaten anything for a week, their spirits were high with anticipation as they prepared to embark on their journey. The idea of adventure filled their hearts, and they were so enthralled by the prospect of leaving that they didn't have a fixed destination in mind; anywhere other than this place would do.
Looking at their invention, it was a yellow raft with a crescent shape. After Ace consumed his Devil Fruit, Naruto made a suggestion and altered their original idea by adding an engine in the back where it could run using Ace's firepower. They have yet to test it, but they were confident that it was powerful enough to take on the harsh waves.
"Ready?" Ace asked as he looked back at his partner.
"Ready when you are."
With a wide grin on his face, Ace's feet ignited, causing the engine to roar to life. After a brief pause, they shot forward like a bolt of lightning, overtaking a massive oncoming wave. Ascending into the sky, they let out triumphant shouts, reveling in their newfound freedom as they escaped the island.
"Do you know which way we are headed?" Ace questioned.
"I think we're going to Loguetown," Naruto said uncertainly. The town was renowned for two significant reasons: it served as a departure point for sailors and pirates venturing into the Grand Line, and it was also the birthplace and execution site of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. While Ace didn't care much about the first reason, he couldn't ignore the significance of the second one. Concerned about his friend, Naruto asked, "Are you okay? We can choose a different destination if you prefer."
"No, it's alright! We are heading to the Grand Line, anyway." Ace insisted.
Naruto just shrugged and believed his friend.
[+]
"It's way busier than I expected," Ace remarked on the town's surprising level of activity. The bustling streets were filled with people from all corners of the East Blue, making it feel incredibly crowded. The island seemed to attract a diverse crowd, including fishermen, affluent businesspeople, and even the Navy, who maintained a strict watch over the area. "So, where do you want to head first, Narut–" Ace stopped as he took note of his companions' alertness while trying to conceal his face.
Why is it so tightly guarded today? Did they somehow… Naruto pondered before he gestured for the two of them to start walking. They blended right in with the crowd, and with lack of bounties on their heads, they were safe from the Navy for now.
Ace remained quiet as he followed the blonde. They were to disembark in Loguetown to stock up on supplies, and even steal a ship since they were too poor to buy one at the moment. But, it seemed their plan was harder than they thought, and Naruto was the first to notice.
"Ah, sorry." Naruto apologized as he collided with a hooded woman. Crouching to pick up her dropped purse, the blonde gaped upon seeing the woman's face, which she quickly covered it up with and walked away hastily. I see. They were searching for her. But what the hell is she doing so far away from the Grand Line?
"Hey, who was that?" Ace asked as he peered in search of the woman from the crowd.
"It's no one. Let's hurry up and grab some supplies. I need some new clothes, too. Then we'll head out."
"Right."
[+]
"We'll just meet at the harbor."
As they split up to save time, Ace made his way toward the main square. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, almost as if it was audible to others. This was no ordinary location; it held immense significance as the birthplace of the Pirate King and the starting point of the Great Age of Piracy.
As he stepped into the plaza, he observed numerous onlookers fixated on the execution platform. It was the very place where his father took his last breath, uttering words that shook the world. A pang of emotion stirred in his chest, not of regret or sorrow, but of anger. Although he accepted his father's absence, Ace couldn't ignore his lineage. Being the son of the Pirate King meant that if the truth were to be known, he might be held responsible for his father's deeds. This was precisely why he chose to become a pirate – to forge his own identity, make a name for himself, and seek answers to questions that had intrigued him since childhood.
Do I deserve to live?
His contemplation was cut short, however, as the Navy began to make moves on the island, which caught everyone's attention. They hastily headed towards the harbor in formation, and Ace honed his ears as he heard the words "her" and "demon." Then it began pouring before a full on rain occurred as the people began heading towards the building to stay dry.
"Ace, let's go!" Naruto called out as Ace was pulled from the crowd and they ran towards the dock. Although, the freckled man wondered how he was found so easily from the hundreds of people on the island. "I was careless. I didn't think they would close off the dock."
"Good thing we're not criminals, yet. We would have been goners!" Ace laughed but stopped upon seeing the solemn look on the blonde.
"No, we have to get away from here at this moment!" Ace furrowed his eyebrows at the sudden change of attitude and he wondered just how many secrets does Naruto have.
After running for a short while, they finally stopped when they saw a surprising scene unfolding in front of them. The woman they had encountered before, still wearing her hood and all soaked, now found herself encircled by Navy personnel with their weapons aimed at her. Among them, Naruto noticed a commanding Marine Captain who stood tall with a strong, muscular build. He had an imposing presence, simultaneously puffing on two cigars, sporting white hair, and holding a jitte. Clearly, he was not someone to be taken lightly.
"You can't run anymore." The white-haired man spoke gruffly. "It is perplexing how someone like you would be here in the East Blue. It is simply foolish."
Naruto pondered his options for a moment. He considered leaving the woman behind and continuing on his own path, but he also saw the potential usefulness she could offer him. Without worrying about being recognized, he donned a recently purchased scarf to partially conceal his face. Swift and silent as an assassin, he moved beside her with remarkable speed. The Navy men were completely unaware of his presence until he appeared next to the woman, almost as if she had summoned him, which caught their attention.
"Who are you?!" The Marine Captain demanded as he was also taken aback. "I see, so you brought compliances? Of course, a woman like you is not that stupid."
"What do you think you are doing?" The woman whispered to Naruto. "You don't need to help me." She trudged slightly as Naruto held her by the waist.
"A simple thank you is enough," Naruto remarked before he raised his hand up and caused a bright light before he disappeared out of sight.
And just like that, the three were now running away, with Ace fully perplexed and awe at his companion's ability.
"Damn, that was cooler than my fire! What is it?!" Ace asked in excitement.
"I'll tell you later! We have to run from them before they call an Admir—"
Once more, Naruto and the hooded woman came to a sudden stop, their eyes widening in surprise as they gazed at the figure before them. Standing in their path was an unusually slender and exceptionally tall man. He was dressed in a standard white button-up vest with a high collar, worn over a navy-blue long-sleeved shirt. His attire was completed with white trousers and black dress shoes, creating a distinctive appearance.
"What the hell…?" Naruto glared
The hooded woman, on the other hand, could feel her knees buckling as she saw the man. Her eyes widened to the fullest.
"Ah, to think that the two of you are acquainted. It just seems ironic," the man spoke without emotions as he slowly walked towards them.
Ace was staring at Naruto and the woman and was heavily confused by the situation. However, he remained quiet as the situation was too intense and serious.
"What a scary glare that is…"The man remarked upon seeing Naruto's piercing blue eyes. "You can't hide from me. I know that is you, Uzumaki. And the power you showed earlier proved that."
"Damn, I let my guard down once more," Naruto muttered, sighing as he straightened himself up. He whispered to Ace, who looked shocked but acknowledged the message with a nod. "I hope he won't get hurt," Naruto thought, glancing at his friend. Taking a deep breath, he faced Kuzan and conceded, "Alright, Kuzan, you caught me! Heh!"
Kuzan focused his gaze, transforming a raindrop into a frozen blade. Meanwhile, Naruto wore a confident grin beneath his mask and assumed a fighting stance, with Ace following suit. The woman, though shocked and drained, summoned her strength to stand and assist the two men. While she wasn't obliged to do so, the gesture of someone trying to help compelled her to repay the favor. Nevertheless, confronting Kuzan was an immense challenge, and the stakes were high—someone's life was inevitably on the line.
At that moment, the sound of heavy-booted footsteps echoed towards them, indicating that the Navy from earlier had finally caught up. There seemed to be no way to escape this situation. Their only options were to fight or face certain death.
Author's note: That is the end of the chapter, well, chapters! What did you think? Good? Bad? Meh? I am aware that I am a beginner in writing so your review should help.
Also, I hope you guys caught on the hints of Naruto's abilities. Also, how does Kuzan know him? And who is the hooded woman? Will Naruto and Ace start the Spade Pirates? Well, I'll reveal it next chapter.
Another thing - in the original Ace Novel, I know that Masked Deuce was there, but he just seems irrelevant for me to include in the story, since he never showed up in the manga. Plus, he doesn't have any significant abilities.